Nov. 10, 2005

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University soccer team will begin play in the 2005 NCAA College Cup on Friday as the Bulldogs square off against the 19th-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores at 7:30 p.m.

The opening-round NCAA Tournament contest will be played at the VU Soccer Complex and will be preceded by a matchup between No. 16-ranked Pepperdine and Ole Miss. Game one of Friday's doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.

"This is a big time for Samford soccer and this is what we've been working towards over the last four years," said Samford head coach Todd Yelton. "I'm happy for our team and I'm proud of every one of our players, especially for seniors (Emily Morris and Marian Wagner), because now they get the opportunity to participate in an NCAA Tournament."

Samford (15-3-3) heads into Friday's contest looking to extend its undefeated streak to nine-consecutive games.

The Bulldogs are 7-0-1 in their previous eight matches and have not lost a game in over a month. Samford's last defeat occurred on Oct. 9, against Murray State, 1-0. Since then, the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 15-4.

On Sunday, Samford defeated Eastern Illinois, 1-0, to win its first Ohio Valley Conference Tournament title. Junior defender Sharon Young scored the game-winning goal in the victory that secured the Bulldogs' initial berth in the NCAA College Cup.

Vanderbilt (16-3-2) enters Friday's game with intentions of rebounding from its heartbreaking loss to Tennessee in penalty kicks during Sunday's Southeastern Conference Tournament semifinals.

In the defeat, which was technically considered a draw, the Commodores were outscored 4-3 in a penalty-kick shootout. The teams played to a scoreless tie in regulation.

"Vanderbilt is a very talented team," Yelton said. "(Head coach) Ronnie (Covaleskie-Hill) does a really good job with her squad and they are always very physical. We've played against them twice since last season and we know that we need to do a good job of defending their corners and set pieces."

Since the beginning of the 2004 campaign, the Bulldogs have squared off against Vanderbilt twice, once in an exhibition match and once earlier this season. In Samford's lone exhibition contest of the 2004 season, Vanderbilt posted a 4-1 victory at Bulldog Field.

On Sept. 18, Samford and Vanderbilt played a physical, hard-fought contest in which the Commodores scored with 8:45 remaining in the game to earn a slight 2-1 victory. The non-conference contest was held at the VU Soccer Complex and included 39 fouls and seven yellow cards.

"I think it's a good thing that we're playing against a team that we've already seen this season," Yelton said. "We are a confident team right now and we're used to going up against quality opponents. We typically play a very tough non-conference schedule and this season we played NC State, Mississippi State, Memphis and of course Vandy."

Samford defeated both NC State, 1-0, and Memphis, 2-1, this season and fought to a 1-1 draw at Mississippi State.

The Samford University soccer team will look to avenge its earlier loss against Vanderbilt on Friday as the Bulldogs make their NCAA College Cup debut at 7:30 p.m., in Nashville, Tenn.

2005 NCAA College Cup
Vanderbilt Regional

Game One: Ole Miss (14-4-2) vs. #16 Pepperdine (13-3-3), 5 p.m.
Game Two: Samford (15-3-3) vs. #19 Vanderbilt (16-3-2), 7:30 p.m.